Alert archive / Louisiana / River Flood Warnings in 2026
River Flood Warning 7, NWS Lake Charles, LA
NWS Lake Charles, LA issued this river flood warning at May 8, 2026, 8:38 AM CDT for Rapides Parish, Louisiana. It took effect at May 8, 2026, 10:11 AM CDT. It was in force for 7 days.
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- May 8, 2026, 8:38 AM CDT (13:38 UTC)
- In effect from
- May 8, 2026, 10:11 AM CDT
- Expired
- May 15, 2026, 7:06 AM CDT
- In force
- 7 days
- Issued by
- NWS Lake Charles, LA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- Minor
County Rapides Parish, LA
The radar
The Ft Polk radar (KPOE), 42 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 13:38 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
The river
Written for the forecast point Calcasieu River near Glenmora (GLML1).
- Action stage
- 12 ft
- Minor stage
- 12 ft
- Moderate stage
- 16 ft
- Major stage
- 18 ft
This gauge today: stage, forecast and historic crests
Stage from the USGS instantaneous record for site 08013000, one reading an hour, from a day before the product to a day after it ended. Flood stages are today's.
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this river flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Lake Charles, LA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this river flood warning went out at May 8, 6:17 AM CDT, 2 hours 21 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Rain chances remain in place during the weekend with upper disturbances traversing the region.
- Heavy rain and flash flooding will again be possible Friday and Saturday.
- There is a low end risk for severe weather possible Friday and Saturday.
Area forecast discussion, May 8, 6:17 AM CDT, 2 hours 21 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lake Charles LA 617 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026 ...New AVIATION... .KEY MESSAGES... - Rain chances remain in place during the weekend with upper disturbances traversing the region. - Heavy rain and flash flooding will again be possible Friday and Saturday. - There is a low end risk for severe weather possible Friday and Saturday. && .DISCUSSION... (Today through Thursday) Issued at 1201 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026 As of 1200 AM CDT, conditions are mostly quiet with exception to widely isolated showers streaming across parts of CWA. Both temps and dewpoints are in the 60s, with high RH values and light to calm winds under broken to overcast skies. Areas of fog again will not be out of the realm if possibility, however dense fog is not expected. The cold front that moved through the CWA the other day is sitting over the Gulf waters, however it will slowly begin retrograding northward into our area today. Along with this, an upper cutoff low continues to progress eastward across northern MX and into SW TX. PWATs are already plenty high as is with the swimming pool of moisture straddling the entire Gulf Coast; the incoming system will tap into this, leading to a wet Mothers Day weekend. The good news is that overall rainfall totals have come down, and we are now only in a Marginal Risk (lvl 1/4) for excessive rainfall both today and tomorrow. However SPC has introduced a Marginal Risk (lvl 1/5) for severe weather on both days. Saturday into Sunday, the upper low will weaken and be absorbed into the broader flow along with the front washing out. Nevertheless, isolated to scattered showers will linger into Sunday before everything is pushed out by another cold front. A surface high pressure will move in Monday, with the conditions it will bring being short lived as the high moves off to the east of us on Tuesday into Wednesday, with southerly flow returning from then and into the rest of next week. For the front half of the forecast period, temperatures will be kept in check by overcast skies and rain, along with the front. They will be generally within 3 to 8 degrees from climatological averages for this time of month. A warming trend will kick off in the latter half of the forecast period as an upper ridge builds in out of the west and southerly flow prevails. && .AVIATION... (12Z TAFS) Issued at 615 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026 Thunderstorms are developing across the area this morning and are anticipated to remain in the forecast through the day. IFR to MVFR conditions will remain through much of the period. NE winds will veer SE during the day. && .MARINE... Issued at 1201 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026 A cold front is currently located in the north Gulf. This front will stall and slowly retrograde north over the weekend. Conditions will be overcast with periods of heavy rain along with isolated thunderstorms. Winds will be from the north through Monday after a front and will become southerly again Tuesday into Wednesday. No hazards are expected for mariners at this time. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 1201 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026 Widespread wetting rain has helped drought conditions across the region. Fire weather will not be a concern for the weekend and through next week. && .LCH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... LA...None. TX...None. GM...None. && PUBLIC/FIRE/MARINE...87 AVIATION...05
In the hours before
Special weather statement, May 8, 6:53 AM CDT, 1 hour 45 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
653 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
LAZ027-028-030>032-TXZ259-260-081230-
Evangeline LA-Allen LA-Beauregard LA-Vernon LA-Rapides LA-
Northern Newton TX-Northern Jasper TX-
653 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT RAPIDES...NORTHERN EVANGELINE...
NORTHERN BEAUREGARD...VERNON AND NORTHEASTERN ALLEN PARISHES...
NORTHERN NEWTON AND EAST CENTRAL JASPER COUNTIES THROUGH 730 AM
CDT...
At 653 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Jamestown to near Elmer. Movement was east
at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor damage to vegetation and outdoor objects is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Alexandria, Pineville, De Ridder, Oakdale, Jasper, Leesville, Newton,
Rosepine, Glenmora, Merryville, Cheneyville, Elizabeth, Turkey Creek,
Fort Polk, Alexandria International Airport, Sugartown, Hineston,
Pitkin, Burkeville, and New Llano.
This includes Interstate 49 between mile markers 55 and 90.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3096 9224 3097 9228 3094 9228 3089 9224
3084 9224 3075 9393 3092 9398 3142 9226
TIME...MOT...LOC 1153Z 261DEG 19KT 3088 9389 3106 9272
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH
TinglerSpecial weather statement, May 8, 7:37 AM CDT, 1 hour 1 minute before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
737 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
LAZ028-029-032-081300-
Avoyelles LA-Evangeline LA-Rapides LA-
737 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT CENTRAL RAPIDES...NORTH CENTRAL
EVANGELINE AND NORTHWESTERN AVOYELLES PARISHES THROUGH 800 AM CDT...
At 736 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Alexandria International Airport to near
Alexandria to near Cheneyville to near Turkey Creek. Movement was
northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor damage to vegetation and outdoor objects is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Alexandria, Pineville, Marksville, Glenmora, Cheneyville, Alexandria
International Airport, Effie, Ball, Lecompte, Hessmer, Tioga, Timber
Trails, Esler Regional Airport, Kingsville, Poland, Kolin, Ruby,
Holloway, Deville, and Libuse.
This includes Interstate 49 between mile markers 54 and 93.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3137 9209 3135 9207 3134 9209 3133 9208
3133 9206 3116 9199 3093 9229 3087 9249
3097 9261 3116 9264 3126 9271 3143 9247
3144 9239
TIME...MOT...LOC 1236Z 246DEG 21KT 3125 9258 3122 9244 3104 9235 3091
9251
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH
TinglerSpecial weather statement, May 8, 7:38 AM CDT, 1 hour before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
738 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
TXZ180-081315-
Tyler TX-
738 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN TYLER COUNTY
THROUGH 815 AM CDT...
At 738 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles west of Chester, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor damage to vegetation and outdoor objects is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Woodville, Colmesneil, and Chester.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3106 9456 3104 9450 3105 9449 3103 9448
3104 9445 3103 9444 3100 9445 3101 9444
3102 9442 3103 9441 3072 9432 3074 9460
3099 9466 3101 9465
TIME...MOT...LOC 1238Z 262DEG 26KT 3088 9472
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH
TinglerSpecial weather statement, May 8, 7:56 AM CDT, 42 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
756 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
LAZ028-029-032-081330-
Avoyelles LA-Evangeline LA-Rapides LA-
756 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN RAPIDES...
NORTHEASTERN EVANGELINE AND SOUTHWESTERN AVOYELLES PARISHES THROUGH
830 AM CDT...
At 756 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Cheneyville, moving east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to vegetation and outdoor
objects is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Bunkie, Moreauville, Cheneyville, Bordelonville, Cottonport, Mansura,
Hessmer, Evergreen, Plaucheville, Goudeau, Dupont, and Hamburg.
This includes Interstate 49 between mile markers 47 and 59.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3087 9234 3103 9235 3112 9189 3085 9186
TIME...MOT...LOC 1256Z 263DEG 30KT 3095 9227
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
TinglerLocal storm report, May 8, 8:26 AM CDT, 12 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
826 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0820 AM Hail Plaucheville 30.97N 91.98W
05/08/2026 M1.00 Inch Avoyelles LA Broadcast Media
Media reports of quarter size hail in
Plaucheville.
&&
NRSLocal storm report, May 8, 8:32 AM CDT, 6 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
832 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0810 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg Bunkie 30.95N 92.18W
05/08/2026 Avoyelles LA Emergency Mngr
Reports of wind damage to a gas station on
the corner of HWY 29 and HWY 71 in Bunkie.
&&
NRSThe office that day
Everything else NWS Lake Charles, LA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 8, 6:07 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | LCH | Beauregard | 23 min |
| May 8, 6:53 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | LCH | Rapides, Vernon | 37 min |
| May 8, 7:37 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | LCH | Rapides | 23 min |
| May 8, 7:56 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | LCH | Avoyelles | 34 min |
| May 8, 8:04 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LCH | Avoyelles, Evangeline, Rapides | 26 min |
| May 8, 8:26 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LCH | Avoyelles | 19 min |
| May 8, 8:56 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | LCH | Avoyelles, Evangeline, Rapides, Vernon | 3 hr |
| May 8, 12:01 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | LCH | Acadia, Allen, Evangeline, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Saint Landry | 3 hr |
| May 8, 12:37 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | LCH | Lafayette | 38 min |
| May 8, 7:38 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | LCH | Tyler | 37 min |
Nearby
River Flood Warnings in Louisiana, 2026Every river flood warning in 2026
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive; the gauge from the NWS water service and the USGS.